Need further reassurance? Want to know more? As you may be aware, if a property is being purchased with the assistance of a mortgage we are obliged to carry out a number of necessary searches as part of the conveyancing process. These searches are also for your benefit and can reveal a number of factors that may influence your decision as to whether you wish to proceed with the purchase of the property. However, there are many additional searches and specialist reports on the market that we can commission on your behalf should you require extra information or additional reassurance ahead of your purchase. Some of these may come recommended by us if the property falls within an area identified as at risk but some may not. If it is the case that you may require additional searches for peace of mind then please do not hesitate to contact us to obtain further information, together with details of turnaround times and pricing. You will find details of these additional searches on the following pages.
Planning Flood Today 9 out of 10 urban homes fall within a 75m radius of a potential development. How would your property be affected if a developer got permission to build nearby? You may wish to be made aware of all the ramifications - positive and negative - that come out of such projects. Available information can now extend to crime rates and the numbers of theft insurance claims, allowing you to build up a clearer picture of the desirability of your chosen location. As a further measure you may also consider obtaining a professional report on those areas which could potentially be developed in the locality. With one in six homes in England and Wales now being identified as at risk of flooding, you need to be clear on any water and drainage issues. Is your property at risk of being flooded, will you be able to obtain flood insurance, and how much may it cost? It may not always be obvious that a property is at risk of flooding. Properties at risk do not need to be close to a river, the sea or on low lying ground to be exposed to a flood risk. This is due to the fact that surface water, groundwater and overflowing sewers are increasingly common causes of flooding. GroundSure Planning Report: 29.54 + VAT Landmark Plansearch Plus: 24.00 + VAT DevAssess: 80.00 + VAT Landmark Floodsearch: 20.00 + VAT GroundSure Flood Report: 19.50 + VAT
Subsidence Radon Coal mining Research has predicted a 50% increase is likely in subsidence claims over the next 30 years and with costly repairs and/or a reduction in valuation the likely consequence for an affected property, you may require an assessment of the potential subsidence risk relating to the property you intend to purchase. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas which is odourless and present in all parts of the UK, although the gas disperses outdoors so levels are generally very low. However, geological conditions in certain areas can lead to higher than average levels. You may therefore elect to find out if the property is in a radon affected area as a precursor to possible testing and remediation works. Large swathes of England and Wales have a history of coal mining and fossil fuels remain very much a part of UK energy policy. As a consequence you may choose to be made aware of the environmental and stability risks arising from any past, current and future underground or surface coal mining activity. Landmark Subsidence Risk Rating: 15.00 + VAT Property Assure Subsidence Risk Survey 265.00 + VAT Property Assure Subsidence Risk Drainage Survey 318.00 + VAT Property Assure Subsidence Risk Arboriculturist Survey 419.00 + VAT Property Assure Subsidence Risk Specific Defect Survey 375.00 + VAT Radon Risk Report: 15.00 + VAT Radon Advisory Report: 53.48 + VAT Coal Authority Coal & Brine Residential Report: 33.91 + VAT Coal Authority Interpretive Mining Report: 81.91 + VAT David Bellis; Residential Coal Mining Outside Brine Compensation District: 26.00 + VAT
Tin mining Cheshire Brine Alternative energies Devon and Cornwall both have a long association with tin mining. It is therefore advisable to have these searches commissioned if you are buying in these areas as you need to be aware of the environmental and stability risks arising from past, current and future tin mining activity. The County of Cheshire has a long tradition of salt mining activity - and consequent subsidence. Again, if you are buying in this area you need to be aware of the risks arising from any past, current and future mining activity. Interest in renewable and alternative energies is growing fast and as a result you may opt to be made aware of the potential impact on properties of fracking, wind turbines, geothermal generation, wave power etc. Metalliferous Mining Search: 56.75 + VAT Coal Authority Coal & Brine Residential Report: 33.91 + VAT David Bellis; Residential Coal Mining Within Brine Compensation District: 27.00 + VAT Landmark Energy & Infrastructure Report (inc. HS2): 25.00 + VAT GroundSure Energy Report: 20.00 + VAT Environmental There is an estimated 300,000 hectares of contaminated land in England and Wales. As a consequence you may wish to be aware of the possibility and consequences of acquiring an interest in contaminated land and the steps that can be taken to assess the risks. Although cleaning up contaminated land is the responsibility of the person who caused the contamination, in many cases it can be impossible to identify the individuals or companies involved and as a consequence responsibility unfortunately falls on the current owner or occupier. Landmark Homecheck Report: 36.60 + VAT Landmark Envirosearch Report: 42.60 + VAT GroundSure Homescreen Report: 35.55 + VAT GroundSure Homebuyers Report: 41.40 + VAT
Utilities HS2 Utilities are all around us and beneath us. Gas and oil pipelines, electricity cables, telecommunication wires, mains water supplies, sewers and fibre-optic cables to name but a few. Before you begin any excavation or development work it pays to find out what's where, thus reducing the risk of expensive litigation (if damage is caused), project delays, increased foundation costs and added danger for workers. The Utilities Report collates all utility information into a single source and provides an outline of features below the surface. By early 2026, HS2 could be running 14 trains an hour between London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, at up to 225 mph. Properties in the vicinity could be affected by issues such as noise pollution, vibration, construction work and increased traffic but improved rail connectivity could conversely have a positive impact on housing value and desirability of area. By commissioning a HS2 search you can be fully appraised of the governments intended plans before proceeding with your purchase. Specific offerings covering: Landmark Utilities Report: 385.00 + VAT Regional Electricity Company Search: 59.35 + VAT Gas Transco Report: 70.00 + VAT British Telecom: 21.35 + VAT Kingston Communications: 21.35 + VAT Virgin Media: 68.00 + VAT Cable & Wireless: 78.40 + VAT Landmark Energy & Infrastructure Report (inc. HS2): 25.00 + VAT GroundSure HS2 Search: 15.00 + VAT
Transport Waterways With a steady increase in urban transport improvement schemes, you may wish to understand how a property might be affected - positively or negatively - by existing or proposed rail and highway transport schemes. When purchasing a property near a waterway, or which has a waterway running through it, you should consider a waterways search. It may be that there are rights to access the land to fish, to moor boats, extract water or drain waste. Additionally, the land owner may be under an obligation to maintain the bank (and potentially the waterway itself) or alternatively the bank may be owned by the Environment Agency. Such a search will provide you with full details. Specific offerings covering: London Transport: 152.00 + VAT Network Rail: 20.00 + VAT Mail Rail: 130.00 + VAT Civil Aviation: 207.02 + VAT London Cross Rail: 20.00 + VAT Highways Agency: 20.00 + VAT London Docklands Light Railway: 20.00 + VAT Metro: Tyne & Wear: From 21.75 + VAT Croydon Tramlink: 21.75 + VAT Blackpool Transport Tramway: 21.75 + VAT Nottingham Express Transit: 21.75 + VAT Sheffield Supertram: 21.75 + VAT Manchester Metrolink: 21.75 + VAT Residential British Waterways Board: 237.02 + VAT Port Of London Authority: 85.00 + VAT